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Cartier Calandre 18kt Yellow Gold Manual WInd, 1970s — view 1 of 6
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Wristwatches · Wristwatch

Cartier Calandre 18kt Yellow Gold Manual WInd, 1970s

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.
Maker / attribution
Cartier (maker)
Date
1970s
Country of origin
France
Object type
Wristwatch
Materials / technique
yellow gold
Dimensions
Case 27 mm
Stock no.
W-2762
Credit line
Dealer listing, Bulang & Sons (W-2762)
Catalogue title (original)
Cartier Calandre 18kt Yellow Gold Manual WInd (English)

View the source record (dealer listing) ↗ (opens another website in a new tab)Suggest a correction

Record summary

Catalogued by Bulang & Sons (dealer), Copenhagen (stock number W-2762), this is a wristwatch by Cartier, made in France, dated 1970s. The Atlas places it in the Quartz Revolution period (1969 – 1990) of its Wristwatches collection. Materials and techniques recorded by the source: yellow gold. Recorded dimensions: Case 27 mm. The record is illustrated with 6 photographs.

Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.

Catalogue description

Dealer description — Bulang & Sons

This is a very rare Cartier Calandre, a lovely watch that captures both Cartier's rich watchmaking heritage and its bold and unusual designs. This particular model, often mistakenly referred to as La Cloche, is a stunning example from the Calandre family, renowned for its unique stirrup-like shape. Crafted in 18k yellow gold, this rare find features a finely preserved curved case and a distinctive blue cabochon crown. The yellow gold case measures 27mm (with lugs) by 19mm and remains in fantastic condition. The watch houses a classic white dial that showcases painted black Arabic numerals, an inner minute track, and blued steel hands. It comes fitted with an original Cartier strap, and the manual wind movement( rare , as most are quartz driven !) has been fully serviced by our watchmaker. This is a very cool and rare vintage Cartier. Please contact us for more information or arrange a private viewing at the Bulang and Sons watch lounge! Specifications: - Cartier Calandre - 27mm x 19mm (including lugs) 18k yellow gold case - Serial number 229xxx dating to the 1970s - White dial with black Arabic numerals and blued hands - Blue cabochon crown - Original Cartier strap - Manual wind movement - Fully serviced by our watchmaker - Includes a handmade leather pouch

Historical context

Quartz Revolution (1969 – 1990)

Seiko's Astron begins mass quartz timekeeping; traditional industries contract sharply.

Quartz and digital watches transformed the market after 1969. Swiss employment collapsed, Japanese and Hong Kong production soared, and the Swatch (1983) helped the Swiss industry recover; mechanical watches survived as luxury goods.

Read the period in the timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: Modern Mechanical Horology

Atlas type guide

Wristwatches

Bracelet watches were worn by women from the early nineteenth century — Breguet made one for Caroline Murat, Queen of Naples, in 1810–12 — but the wristwatch only became a man's instrument with military use and aviation in the early twentieth century. Between the World Wars it overtook the pocket watch; the 1920s and 1930s brought rectangular Art Deco cases, water-resistant cases and the first automatic winding systems.

After 1945 the wristwatch became a carrier of identity — dress watches, sports and dive watches, chronographs, calendars — produced by Swiss, American, Japanese, German, Soviet and Chinese industries. The quartz revolution after 1969 and the mechanical renaissance since the 1990s, including the rise of independent watchmakers, complete the story.

What to look for

  • The reference number (between the lugs or inside the case back) and serial number, the starting point for dating.
  • The calibre: its maker and number are often stamped under the dial or on the bridge.
  • Originality of dial, hands and crown — refinished ('redial') dials are common.
  • Case material marks: 18K/750, 14K/585, stainless steel, gold-filled, plated.

Dating clues

  • Wire-lug cases: before c. 1925.
  • Water-resistant screw-down cases: from 1926.
  • Quartz movements: from 1969; sapphire crystals widespread after c. 1980.

General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.

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